OK, I admit it. I have a Google Alert on the title Flunking Sainthood, so that the search engine lets me know when there are new reviews or discussions about the book. In the last few weeks it has been exciting — and humbling — to see the many different kinds of people who are reading and talking about the memoir and about spiritual practice. What’s astonishing to me is that the book is finding its ways into churches and book groups I’ve never even heard of:

Yeah, I’m aware that there’s an element of massive hubris to these Google alerts. In fact, I am giving them up for Lent, as well as reading book reviews, checking sales figures, etc. But until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, I am going to enjoy all these updates! And I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the readers who are recommending FS to others and getting copies for their friends.

From the feedback I receive I can tell that it’s not the book itself that is winning people over — not the writing per se, or even the humor. It’s the honesty. And that’s something I never could have predicted when I was writing the darn thing.

“First Mitt won Iowa, then he lost Iowa? That’s a classic Romney flip-flop.”

–Stephen Colbert

Working with the theory that there hasn’t been nearly enough attention to Mormonism and politics this year, what with it being in the news every single day and all, Randy Balmer and I are co-organizing a scholarly conference on the topic next weekend at Columbia University. Here is a brief description:

With two Mormon candidates for the presidency and the recent unprecedented media attention given to Mormons recently, this conference will take a broad view of the history of Mormon participation in American political life, from Joseph Smith’s 1844 run for the presidency to the Reed Smoot trials of the early 20th century and to the rise of Ezra Taft Benson during the Eisenhower administration, which ushered in a new era of Mormon identification with the Republican Party.

The conference will take place February 3 and 4 in the university’s International Affairs Building, Room 1501 (420 W 118th St.). It is free and open to the public, but we have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early if you’re planning to come for all or part of it. Below is the schedule of speakers. Every session is in plenary format with two 20- to 25-minute papers.

Friends, I will be offline until January 23 for a writing retreat. I’m bringing my computer, but the place where I am going doesn’t have email access, which is one of the reasons I love it. So if you are of a praying mind, please pray that this week is both productive and restful. I am hoping to tear through two writing assignments, make a dent in the stack of books by my desk (which now actually reaches the desk), and get some sleep in the bargain.

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It’s a strange feeling, stepping back from constant communication. It’s both thrilling and scary to be unreachable for a week. My inner social media guru whispers that I might miss something important.

My better self answers back that making a retreat is doing something important. And that I am not so important that the world can’t get along just fine without me for a while.

Another blog to enjoy!!!Thank you for visiting Flunking Sainthood. This blog is no longer being updated. Please enjoy the archives. Here is another blog you may also enjoy:
Fellowship of Saints and Sinners
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Thank You, Flunking Sainthood Readers!OK, I admit it. I have a Google Alert on the title Flunking Sainthood, so that the search engine lets me know when there are new reviews or discussions about the book. In the last few weeks it has been exciting -- and humbling -- to see the many ...